The Accident
I always hated hospitals. The sterile smell, the grim atmosphere, it always made me feel on edge. Sometimes I wondered if some part of me remembered being brought into the world, into the somber, silent hospital room where my mother had drawn her last breath.
Nana and I sat in the waiting room, clutching our hands together in silent support of one another. I’d never had a good relationship with my father, but the thought of him lying in a hospital bed, battered and broken, rocked me to my core.
Outside, the wind howled, the sound of thunder growing closer with each passing minute. Each time the entrance doors slid open, the scent of wet earth filled the waiting room, and I took a deep breath.
“Woodrow?” A nurse stepped into the waiting room and nana and I rose from our seats. “You can see him now.”
We followed her down a long, silent hallway, and into my father’s room. The only sound piercing the silence was the horrible beeping of the heart rate monitor. “We’re keeping an eye on him for swelling, right now. He’s taken quite a hit to the head, so don’t panic if he seems a little disoriented.” The nurse explained, leaving us alone with him.
I sank into the chair at his bedside, the vinyl giving a squeak as I shifted to the edge and took his limp hand. “Daddy…” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. I couldn’t stand seeing him like this, broken, fragile.
“Lil…” My heart cracked in two and spilled out of my chest as he whispered my mother’s name.
“Daddy, it’s me… Tyranni.” I croaked, swallowing the acrid lump that had formed in my throat. My father’s eyelids fluttered, cracking open. His gaze fell on me, and he eased his hand out of my grip.
“What is she doing here?” he asked, looking at nana, the question directed at her. I didn’t think it was possible, but I felt my heart break even more. “She shouldn’t be here. Too many bad memories.” he groaned. I felt my insides wither until I was a husk.
“Daddy, I want to be here.” I whispered. I wanted to stay with him until I was sure that he would be alright.
“No. Mother, take her home this instant!” he demanded roughly, glaring across the room at nana.
“Your daughter has every right to be here with you, Nathan.” Nana replied dully, still standing by the door. She hadn’t moved an inch since we’d stepped inside his room.
“I don’t want her here!” he roared. Before I had a chance to think, I’d bolted out of my chair, fleeing his hatred. I walked blindly through the hallways and out of the hospital. As if the skies sensed my torment, the rain poured down on me, mixing with my tears.
“Tyranni?” I looked up, startled by the concerned voice. Violet stood by the entrance doors, clutching an umbrella.
“Violet… What are you doing here?” I asked, wiping my nose on the back of my hand.
“My sister is having in labor.” Violet replied. “Is everything okay?” I gaped at her. Violet had always been such a bitch, and now she was looking at me with concern in her eyes.
“My father was in a car accident.” There was nothing else to say. I couldn’t very well admit to her that my own father had essentially driven me from his room.
“Do you need someone to take you home?” Violet asked softly, angling the umbrella to shield me from the rain.
“You don’t have to—”
“Nonsense. It’s pouring, and the pup isn’t due for hours, yet.” she insisted. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.” Nodding, I followed her to her car, slipping inside. It was a good thing she had leather seats; my clothes were completely soaked through.
The drive was silent and uncomfortable. “I’m sure your father will be fine. He’s a strong wolf.” Violet assured me.
“Thanks… I hope so…” I replied. After ten more minutes of awkwardness, Violet stopped in front of our house. “Thank you. Congratulations on your niece or nephew.” I said.
“Thanks. Hope your dad feels better.” Violet replied with a nod, giving me a small wave once I’d closed the door. I stood on the porch until her car disappeared into the blackness of the night, wondering what the hell had just happened. Violet had never once been friendly toward me.
Unlocking the door, I stepped into the house, immediately finding the silence stifling. On any other day, the sound of nana’s cooking of the drone of the tv would fill the now empty space.
Needing the comfort of familiarity, I turned on the tv and searched through the apps for my music, letting it fill the house. Then, I made my way into the kitchen, pulling vegetables and meat from the fridge. The least I could do was have soup available when my father came home. Even though he hated me, I would make sure he was comfortable when he arrived.
I ate alone at the table, listening to music and the pattering of rain as the storm worsened. Nana still hadn’t come home, and with the weather, I didn’t imagine she would for the rest of the night. When I was finished, I poured the remaining soup into a container and left it in the fridge.
I turned off the music and headed upstairs, pulling a pair of comfortable pajamas from my dresses and making my way to the bathroom. I preferred my showers scalding, but my back wouldn’t allow it. In the lukewarm water, I washed away the stress of the evening, praying to the Moon Goddess that my father would be fine and things would go back to normal once he was released.
Beneath the sheets, I tossed and turned, listening to the wind moan and the rain pounding against my window. I was worried the broken glass might shatter, but it held strong. When I finally fell into a restless slumber, I dreamed about running through the forest with the wind in my hair. I dreamed of two sets of silver eyes…